Mary Lorenz Declares Intent To Run For 101st General Assembly District

Mary Lorenz, a member of Madison's Democratic Town Committee, has declared her intent to run for the 101st General Assembly District seat currently held by Noreen Kokoruda, a Republican.

Lorenz, 23, a supervisor at CVS in Madison, is a lifelong Madison resident who attended Madison schools and graduated from Daniel Hand High School before going on to attend and graduate from the University of Connecticut with a degree in political science and sociology.

She said her top three priorities will be education, the economy and the environment.

Lorenz's intent is to work for initiatives that would benefit both Madison and Durham

She said she is impressed by the quality of the educational systems in both Madison and Durham, part of which is included in the 101st Assembly District, and that her goal would be work for initiatives that would allow both communities to continually improve their schools.

When it comes to the economy, she said her focus would be on initiatives that would encourage job creation. She said she has worked in a variety of job, and knows the importance of making sure that the economy is strong so that good jobs with decent pay can be created. In addition to CVS, she worked while a student at Daniel Hand High School and UConn, at Ocean State Job Lot, Stop & Shop, Nike, Dunkin' Donuts, as an administrative assistant and at the UConn African American Cultural Association as a student assistant.

Lorenz said she also is interested in the preservation of farmland, which exists in both Madison and Durham, along with other open space initiatives, such as those that led to the creation of Madison's Newest Park on the Boston Post Road, and measures that protect the environment.

A concern about high taxes

She said she also knows that many people in both communities are concerned about high taxes and she said she would work hard to make sure that taxes are not only put to the highest and best use, but also that both communities get financial and other support from money sent to the state in the form of taxes.

Lorenz was one of several Madison Democrats who attended a reception for Madison's new school superintendent Tuesday night, where she chatted with Kokoruda about the upcoming election. After the reception, she intended to head over to Madison Town Hall, where a Board of Finance meeting was scheduled to start.

Lorenz said she has contacted Durham Democrats and is looking forward to meeting with them to find out more about their concerns and how she might help them if she is elected.

"I'm ready to take this opportunity to give back to my community"

Lorenz said effecting change by serving as an elected official has been a goal of hers for as long as she can remember.

"It's something I've wanted to do my whole life," she said. "My role models are Deborah Heinrich and [Congresswoman for the Third District] Rosa DeLauro. I went off to UConn, where I learned more about why there is a need for people to serve, and now I'm ready to take this opportunity to give back to my community."

Deborah Heinrich, who used to hold the 101st District House Seat, expressed her support for Lorenz's candidacy Monday night, following Heinrich's election to chairman of Madison's Democratic Town Committee. Kathi Traugh, the former head of Madison's Democratic Town Committee, joined Heinrich is expressing support for Lorenz's candidacy.

Kokoruda intends to seek re-election

Heinrich stepped down from the 101st General Assembly District seat after winning re-election in 2011, to take on a newly created state job helping the state's non-profit community. A special election was held for the seat, which at that time represented Madison and North Guilford. Democrat , who was at the time a selectman for Madison. Kokoruda won the special election and Republican Diane Stadterman was appointed to take Kokoruda's place on the Board of Selectman. Joan Walker later won a seat on the Madison Board of Selectmen as well.

During a , North Guilford was dropped from the 101st Assembly District, and part of Durham was added.

Kokoruda said Tuesday night that she plans to seek re-election, "without a doubt," and intends to make a formal announcement soon.

Lorenz said she has declared her intention to run, has talked with the Madison Democratic Town Committee and is looking forward to talking with the Durham Democratic Town Committee. Lorenz said she intends to file the requisite paperwork with the state within the next 10 days.

"Not your stereotypical entrenched political figure"

Both Heinrich and Traugh said they were very excited to hear about Lorenz's plans to run for office.

"We couldn't be more excited about Mary's candidacy," said Heinrich. "She has that fire in her belly that will drive her to work hard for Madison and Durham.  Mary is not your stereotypical entrenched political figure.  She is young and articulate and brings fresh ideas and new perspectives to the table.  She is looking at new ways to solve old problems and represents our future."

Traugh agreed.

"We need someone who will work with the legislative leadership and the Governor's Office to develop policy that benefits Madison," said Traugh. "With her energy and positive drive, Mary will be able to have real influence as a Democrat up in Hartford."